By Andrew Abah, Abuja
Nigerian Basketball Players on Tuesday stormed the office of Minister of Youth and Sports Development, Mr Sunday Dare, to register their displeasure over unwillingness of the Ministry to resolve the post-election impasse rocking the Nigeria Basketball Federation, (NBBF), since January 31, 2022.
The angry players led by the Players Representative on the NBBF Board, Mr Stanely Gumut later told Journalists that the procession to the Sports Minister’s office was part of resolutions reached at their meeting held last Tuesday.
Gumut, said at the meeting, the players were aggitated that the ministry appear to be indifferent, while the leadership tussle takes a toll on their individual careers, and hampers the growth of the domestic component of Nigerian basketball, stating that Mark D Ball Basketball Championship has kept them busy. The players insisted that their future after Mark D Ball Championship is uncertain.
The players also decried the inaction of the Sports Minister, as it concerns some other recent events, which in their wisdom is unfavourable to them and the sport.
The players who turned out in their large numbers added that the resolution to visit the Minister was sequel to the non receipt of a response from series of letters written to the Sports Minister.
“We thought it wise to visit the Sports Minister and have an honest conversation with him. Our visit shouldn’t be deemed a protest, because, it is a visit to the Sports Minister, who in addition, is the custodian of all sports in Nigeria, is like a father figure to us.
“Mark D Ball Championship has kept us busy in recent years, but with the championship coming to an end, we are tempted to ask, what would become our future as players”? Gumut said.
The Athletes Representatives said that “unfortunately for the players, we were told the Minister was not on seat, and would not be in the office any soon, and that left us with no other alternative, than to march to the office of the Director FEAD to express our displeasure”.
